Electric Star Pubs to open live-fire restaurant

A multiple pub operator based in east London is set to open a new restaurant concept that revolves around live-fire cooking.

Firestarter is the new project from Electric Star Pubs, led by Rob Star, marking the business' first move into dedicated dining after 15 years of operating a pub and festival portfolio.

The food menu at Firestarter, designed by chef consultant Ricky Evans and led on-site by head chef Leon Seraphim, leans into the idea of playing with fire, featuring shareable dishes.

It will occupy the restaurant space at 94 Middlesex Street, with an entrance shared with The Star by Liverpool Street, also owned by Electric Star Pubs. The space will feature an open kitchen design, allowing diners to experience the theatre of live-fire cooking, with kitchen counter seating for up to 10 guests and a further 50 seats in the dining room.

"We know we're playing with fire opening a new restaurant in London right now, but that's what hospitality is all about, taking risks to create something people genuinely want to experience," says Star. "After years of running pubs and festivals, I wanted to create something where the food takes centre stage. Firestarter is a space where the food is serious, but the atmosphere will be relaxed, where you can have a proper feast with a bunch of friends without all the fuss."

What's on the menu?

The menu will feature dishes such as Crab Doughnut with cowboy butter & smoked sriracha sugar; Espresso-Tamarind Pork Ribs; Gochujang Chilli Crack Honey Fried Chicken Wings; and Yorkshire Wagyu Beef Tartare with Tomato Ponzu Cured Egg Yolk. 

There will also be flame-grilled dishes such as a 1kg Galician Rib and a 450g Iberico Pork Chop. The Firestarter Double Smash burger will be cooked "Animal Style" with Smoked Mustard Butter and Whisky Caramelised Onions. 

Desserts will include a Wagyu bone-marrow Crème Brûlée, and a Maple-Bourbon Doughnut Ice-Cream Sandwich.

The drinks programme will feature nine signature cocktails, designed to match the fire-forward menu, including Smoke & Mirrors (mezcal & bourbon with pineapple & flamed orange), the White Hot Negroni (gin with jalapeño heat & grapefruit), and The Flame Game (Firestarter’s take on a margarita with chipotle-agave and a paprika-cayenne rim).

Electric Star Pubs operates eight venues across East London, as well as the Eastern Electrics music festival. 

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